Life Span: 12 to 15 years

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Glen of Imaal Terrier Background & History

Bred for hunting small game and chasing vermin, the Gen of Imaal Terrier is a sturdy dog that loves to work. Whether they are playing with children or participating in agility coursing, this breed craves entertainment and attention. In fact, their impressive skills in showing is what eventually led to an increase in their popularity during the early 1900’s.

Originating from one of the most remote valleys in Ireland back in the 1800’s, the Glen of Imaal Terrier breed served as a helpful hand in both the fields and in the home. As they continued to gain popularity in Ireland during the 1900’s, they remained a foreign breed in the United States. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that Glenn’s finally had an official breed club with many supporters. Finally, in 2004, these dogs was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as a registered breed.

Glen of Imaal Terrier Temperament & Personality

Fearless, spunky, and independent are the main attributes of the Glen of Imaal Terrier breed. Most of them think that they are a lot bigger than they really are, which contributes to their overall stoic and confident behavior.

It’s important to keep in mind that this breed can have a mind of their own which makes training and overall obedience a struggle. It’s best if you as the owner can establish yourself as the one in charge as early on as possible. Once this respect has been created, your Glen will be the most loving and protective pup you could ask for.

Glen of Imaal Terrier Training

While training a Glen of Imaal Terrier may be more challenging than other breeds, it is not an impossible task to accomplish. The problem with this breed is they are always looking for something new to entertain themselves with. That’s why it’s important to create fun and challenging games that will keep them interested. Short and fun training sessions work best for the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

This breed should also be socialized to new people, places, experiences, and sounds as early on as possible. They can be wary of strangers at first, so introducing them to different things will help significantly in creating a well-behaved pet later on.

Glen of Imaal Terrier Exercise

This breed is a bundle of energy and needs some type of activity to burn it off. Whether it be agility training or a run through the park, Glen’s need lots of physical activity on a daily basis.

Just like with any other hyper breed, if they do not get enough exercise, they will turn restless. These terriers are especially known to dig and will seek any opportunity to destroy your garden. Make sure your Glen receives plenty of exercise and attention to avoid this from happening.

Glen of Imaal Terrier Lifespan

A Glen of Imaal Terrier lifespan is between 10 to 14 years.

Glen of Imaal Terrier Breed Popularity

Due to their late entrance into the United States, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is still struggling to gain popularity. As of right now, the breed is ranked 180th most popular dog breed by the AKC.

Glen of Imaal Terrier Feeding

On average, a Glen of Imaal Terrier should consume 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality food a day, split into two separate meals. Keep in mind that this is dependent on their size, weight, activity level, and metabolism. Consult with your veterinarian for further recommendations.

Glen of Imaal Terrier Grooming

The Glen breed has a fairly easy grooming regimen. Professionals recommend brushing their coarse, double coat twice a week to prevent matting. Unlike many other breeds, Glen’s should be bathed every couple of months to maintain a healthy coat.

Since dental disease affects 80% of dogs, brushing your Glen’s teeth on a weekly basis is also highly recommended. Lastly, be sure to trim their nails every couple of weeks to prevent cracking or infection.

Are Glen of Imaal Terrier Good with kids?

Glen of Imaal Terriers are strong and playful, serving as great companions for children. However, infants or young children are not well-suited for this breed. Glen’s can become too dominant over a small child or even rough-house aggressively. Make sure your child is old enough to understand how to properly care and interact with a pet.

Glen of Imaal Terrier Health Problems

While the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a healthy breed in general, they are still prone to several health complications. Possible Glen of Imaal Terrier health problems include the following:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): PRA in dogs is an eye disorder that causes a loss of vision and will eventually lead to blindness. This disorder slowly deteriorates the retina and can be detected within the first year of birth.

Canine Hip Dysplasia: Just like with most dogs, canine hip dysplasia is a common health problem that can affect Glen’s. This hereditary disorder occurs when the hip socket and thighbone rub and grind against each other, causing discomfort, pain, lameness, and eventually arthritis.

My dog Finn is 4 years old and came from an animal hoarding situation. With repeated positive experiences with humans and the use of CannaPet, Finn is really able to develop trust with humans other than “his” people.

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